Drew's Page

This prompt suggests that we are not our own person, but rather a collection of positive and negative traits accumulated through interaction with other people and the world. This is certainly true for me. At risk of sounding cliche, my family has had the most influence on me. My parents have raised me to be respectful of others and myself; they have taught me the values and manners I am expected to uphold. Relationships with my peers have shaped my personality almost as much as my parents. My friends have helped me develop social skills and discover the value of friendship. Music has been an outlet for me to relieve stress since the 5th grade and has helped me hone my self-discipline and critical listening skills. Likewise, my private saxophone teacher has been a true friend since I've met him and has taught me much more than to play the saxophone. His lessons are filled with firsthand anecdotes and tips that can be applied to all areas of my life. Because running is arguably a 50% mental sport, I have learned the importance of positive thinking, goal setting, and teamwork. Volunteer work has also had an impact on my everyday life. My experiences at church, the SPCA, and Food Bank have taught me to be humble and considerate of people other than myself. Like most all the kids of my generation, technology has shaped my life as well; whether this effect has been positive or negative I cannot say. It has made me more impatient, but also more connected to family and friends. Almost everyone is now reachable at all hours of the day. Relationships with the opposite sex have also inevitably shaped me. While I am sure you could care less about the details, they have taught me lessons of trust and forgiveness, as well as compassion and acceptance. While my religious views and opinions are still changing, being in a church environment throughout my childhood has made me accountable for my actions and given me a respect for elders. Lastly, Central York School District has had an effect on the evolution of my personality. There dedication to educational excellence and broad range of resources have fostered my desire to be successful. While I would like to think that these qualities would have naturally developed at other institutions, I am skeptical to believe it.

Drew,
You probably could have guessed, but i agree with the part about running and it being a mental sport. The way you have to approach running is completely different than anything else I've experienced in my life, especially with how competitive it is. I like how you mentioned technology, but also said how you don't know if it's had a positive or negative effect. Sure, everyone can think of how it's helped society and everyday life, but it makes you wonder how your life would have been had you been born 100 years or 50 years ago. People our age have no idea, because having all kinds of technology at our disposal is all we've ever known.

Amelia

Drew.
Family and friends are definitely some of the most important people in any person's life. having these relationships are what teach us to behave like humans. I like how music is one of your forces because like most of the people I know music is what helps them get through the day. Having something to relieve stress or show your feelings is important and i couldn't agree more, music allows you to put any message out there. You can say your happy or sad just by how you play the music. It is truely an amazing tool to have.
Kirsten